For daily wit & wisdom, get the Almanac newsletter.

Spider Plant Care: How to Grow and Propagate This Easy Houseplant

Chlorophytum comosum aka spider plant, airplane plant, St Bernard lily, spider ivy or ribbon plant in a terracotta pot
Image Credit:
t50/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Chlorophytum comosum
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun
Shade
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Summer
Fall
Flower Color
White
Plant Type
Houseplants
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Looking for a low-maintenance, high-style houseplant? The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is your go-to green buddy. With its ribbon-like leaves and adorable baby “spiderettes” dangling like plant jewelry, this Victorian-era favorite brings a touch of charm to any room, especially when cascading from a hanging basket. 

From watering do’s and don’ts to multiplying your plant family with easy propagation, here’s everything you need to know to keep your spider plant thriving year-round!

During the summer, spider plants may produce tiny white flowers on long stems, as well as baby spider plants (offsets) called pups. The pups look like tiny spiders, hence the plant’s name!

NASA once highlighted spider plants for their reported air-purifying ability, though a large number of plants would be required to reap any benefits in the home. Nonetheless, they are a classic and attractive plant to add to your space, and every little bit helps! Learn more about air-purifying houseplants.

Planting

  • Grow in a soil-based, well-draining potting mix. Spider plants like even moisture; they don’t like to be too dry or too wet.
  • Keep plants in bright to moderate indirect sunlight. Spider plants do not appreciate direct, hot sunlight, which can burn their leaves, causing brown tips and spots.
  • Spider plants grow fairly quickly and can easily become pot-bound. Plan to repot a spider plant about every other year.
  • Spider plants can be grown outdoors as annuals during the summer. They look especially good along the edge of a container or bed, as long as they are kept out of direct sunlight.

Growing

  • During initial growth, water occasionally; once fully developed (within one year), water moderately.
  • In the spring and summer months, keep the soil moist to encourage growth. Do not let the soil dry out too much.
  • Maintain average room temperature and humidity. Spider plants prefer temperatures between 55° and 80°F (13° to 27°C), which makes them a great indoor houseplant.
  • Fertilize twice a month in the spring and summer; however, avoid overfertilization.
  • See more Houseplant Growing Tips.
Spider plant hanging in a window
Photo by Olga Prava/Shutterstock

Harvesting

  • Healthy spider plants may eventually produce pups, offshoots from the adult plant that can be removed and replanted to start new plants. For the best results, allow pups to reach approximately 2 inches in diameter before removing them from the mother plant.

    Alternatively, set the still-attached pups into pots of soil placed next to the mother plant. Once the pups have rooted themselves into the soil, they can be cut loose from the mother plant.

    Learn more about propagating spider plants and other houseplants to share with your friends.

Pests and Problems

  • Spider plants are prone to tip burn, which can be caused by dry soil, low humidity, or a buildup of salt and chemicals found in some public tap water. Keep the soil slightly moist. Avoid watering with fluoridated or chlorinated water, and cut off brown tips if they do occur.
  • To get rid of the brown discs on the leaves, use your fingernail to scrape off the brown residue every few days.
  • Mealybugs and Scale

Types

  • The most common varieties are the variegated forms:
    • ‘Vittatum’ has green foliage with a single off-white stripe down the center of each leaf.
    • ‘Variegatum’ is the inverse of ‘Vittatum’, with an off-white stripe running along the edge of each green leaf.
  • Solid green varieties are also available.

Wit and Wisdom

Houseplant Guides

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

More Like This

Comments

<span>Michelle In Pdx</span> Fri, 04/12/2019 - 14:36
My spider plant seems to be blanching (losing its nice, green color). Is this a sign of too much light? or not enough water/fertilizer?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 04/15/2019 - 14:49

This is likely a sign of too much light. Spider plants are very shade tolerant, so move it to an area that gets a little less light and you should see an improvement in the color. 

 <span>Leilana Aranda</span> Sun, 10/28/2018 - 20:54
Brought my spider plants in for the winter,hanging them in front of a window in a bathtub. Two days now I have found these small soft green things on the tub floor. They squish easily. At first I thought it was nothing and cleaned them up. They were there the next day as well. What could these be? Shall I get rid of my plant and will this spread to my other plants?
<span>Kim Ogden</span> Sun, 06/23/2019 - 11:08
Just a thought . I’m wondering in the are dead aphids that might of came in with your plant . I know this is a little to late likely but you could treat for pests to be sure
<span>B, Maurene White</span> Mon, 10/22/2018 - 11:47
Are spider plants non-toxic for birds and animals? I haven't found info on this but years ago a pair of canaries to whom I was somewhat enslaved and spoiled as much as possible began to 'play' in my favourite spider plant. After it was completely decimated I noticed they had built a beautiful little nest in the middle of the plant which was slightly above my eye level. The canaries didn't seem any the worse for the wear and actually laid five eggs instead of the usual four. All of their young were fine so at least no genetic damage noted, so I'm imagining they are non-toxic. Only the spider plant suffered, but did actually recover after trimming and fertilizing.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 10/23/2018 - 16:34

Yes, spider plants are non-toxic and are considered a safe plant to have around pets and children. That being said, we wouldn't recommend letting pets or children chew on the plant if you can help it! Plus, birds can be more delicate than other animals, so use caution even around "safe" houseplants.

 <span>Brian</span> Thu, 10/18/2018 - 13:02
what do I need to do to transfer my spider plant from outside fall time to inside winter storage . what temperatures can they withstand , can I move them to garage or take to basement storage. ????
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 10/24/2018 - 11:49

Spider plants are a tropical plant, so they shouldn't be kept in temperatures below 55°F(13°C). They would do best in a living room or kitchen, where they can get bright, indirect light and even temperatures.

Or—perhaps you mean spider flowers (Cleome)? Cleome are an annual flower that love the heat of summer. They are unlikely to survive long enough inside to make it through another season, unfortunately. However, they will readily reseed themselves, dropping seeds in the fall that germinate in the spring once the soil warms. You could also collect a few of the seeds and save them for planting after your last spring frost. 

 <span>Melissa</span> Tue, 09/25/2018 - 05:43
I’ve been given a few starter plants, they are pups from an original plant. They were given to me with full roots, I planted them in potting soil and in a matter of weeks the leaves brown and the plant appears to be dying. I have tried on several occasions to grow starters, but seem to kill them. Spider plants are suppose to be easy to care for, so any help on this matter would be appreciated. I keep them in well lit rooms out of direct sunlight, temps stay at 68f to 70f.
<span>Su Bird</span> Mon, 10/22/2018 - 12:25
i have hundreds of houseplants and i would say that your spiders are too dry and too hot,try lowering the temperature down to the 50's, and water more often